MR. SULLIVANAs the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland is not in his place, perhaps the Attorney General for Ireland will be able to answer the Question of which I gave Notice yesterday—namely, If the Chief Secretary is correctly reported in the "Times" of the 17th instant, as having stated in a speech at York on the 16th instant, that amongst the applications made to the Government in reference to the prevalent distress in Ireland were applications "to provide every person in Ireland with a comfortable meal at all hours of the day;" and if he would lay upon the Table Copies of the applications thus referred to?
§ THE ATTOENEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)The best answer I can give to the hon. and learned Member is to read the context which contains the quotation mentioned in the Question, and which will show exactly what my right hon. Friend intended to convey. I read the following from The York Heraldof yesterday:—
But we unfortunately must admit and deplore that through adverse seasons and other causes a sad calamity now overhangs Ireland. That calamity has afforded an" opportunity which has been nobly taken advantage of all over the United Kingdom at large, and I am thankful to think not only the United Kingdom, but the world at large, has come forward and displayed its sympathy with the people in its suffering. (Cheers.) We have seen that contributions have flocked in from many Continents that have succeeded in alleviating, to a great extent, the sufferings of Ireland. The duty of a Government under conditions like these is not to chill the heart of charity. It is, I should rather say, to stimulate charity. (Cheers.) We occasionally—I am thankful to think only occasionally—see it alleged that the Government should spurn charity, and sec that the British taxpayer—who, Heaven knows, has enough to do to look at himself just now (a laugh)—should bear all the burden upon his shoulder; that we should spurn all charitable aid, and that the Government should undertake to provide every person in Ireland with a comfortable meal at all hours of the day without recourse in any shape or form to charity. Now the Government, I am thankful to think, not only endeavoured, but, I may say without presumption, succeeded in obviating the occurrence of a single case of starvation. (Applause.)
MR. SULLIVANIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman able to say whether the report in The Timesis incorrect, or if it is from the correct report from which he quotes?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)Not being the speaker, I cannot say which is incorrect; but the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary has referred me to this particular speech in giving an answer.